This tour is hosted by Silver Dagger Book Tours. To view the entire schedule click here.
Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:
Sometimes love and luck collide . . .Review:
When sultry British Baroness Piper Darrow falls on desperate times, she needs a diversion—and cash. As a talented photographer, she jumps at the chance to travel to the U.S. for a Manhattan Marauders football event. But she gets more than she bargained for when buff quarterback Wyatt Hunter’s errant pass lands…in her face. And when it results in Wyatt’s comeback of a lifetime, the superstitious athlete is convinced Piper is his good luck charm . .
With his sights on the Super Bowl, Wyatt will do anything necessary to keep Piper close. The fact that she’s a feast for the eyes is a bonus. And as they get closer, he discovers that beneath her proper English surface is a sweet, sexy seductress. Soon the notorious playboy finds himself genuinely smitten, and surprisingly open to love—until his powerful family uncovers something about Piper that threatens to shatter his trust. Now he’ll have to decide whether to team up with his fears, or his heart.
I don't know about you but sometimes all I want is a nice little romance book. Therefore, when To Win Her Smile, the latest addition to the Players series, landed on my radar, I jumped at the chance to read it. The football vibes it was giving off reminded me of one of my favorite YA books, Miranda Kenneally's Catching Jordan, so really how could I resist this one. Luckily, To Win Her Smile turned out to be yet another perfect beach read - romantic and full of heart!
To Win Her Smile begins the story of British Baroness Piper, but don't let the title full you - Piper just wants to fly under the radar and not be defined by her title. Arriving in the United States to see one of her best friends and participate in a charity auction, Piper expects nothing more than to catch up and head back to her complicated life in Europe. Everything changes, however, when Wyatt Hunter, a star football player, throws a football that ends up smacking her in the face. Piper wants nothing more than to forget the embarrassing moment, but Wyatt is immediately taken with her, deciding that he's going to try his hardest to get to know her. His plan? Hire her to be his lucky charm for the season and to take a few photos for some promotional items. Piper, desperate for some cash and low-key wanting to know Wyatt better, takes his offer up, thinking nothing major will come from it. However, as they're soon to find out...it's going to be one eventful season!
To Win Her Smile alternates between the perspectives of Piper and Wyatt, both of whom I found to be incredibly likable! Piper, however, tended to be my favorite. I admired how resourceful and determined she was. Here's this girl who's been beaten and broken down before, but she doesn't let it get her down. She gets bad press from a past relationship? She just sits it out, knowing it will pass eventually. Her dad leaves her with finical ruin and a house she can barely afford? She turns it into an inn with the help of her friends and family. Her cousin is after her for every penny Piper's dad promised her? Piper takes on a complicated job with Wyatt. Piper really is the kind of girl who will go to any length to keep her family and the home she loves safe. I also loved her humor...it's very dry yet effective at the same time! Wyatt was the ultimate swoon-worthy football player. One of the most surprising aspects of his characters was how much of a family man he was. I loved how far he went to protect his sister as well as the little girl who had the majority of his heart.
The plot in this mainly reveled around Piper and Wyatt's developing romance and the complications that came up because of it. It was easy to tell they were going to achieving the ultimate HEA from the start; however, I still loved watching the ups and downs unfold. It was always interesting to see the problems that Wyatt's father political campaign introduced as well as the problems that Piper's past occasionally brought to the table. My favorite part of their romance, though? The big moment at the end. I don't want to spoil anything but I will say - OH. MY. GOODNESS. It was so adorable and sweet...I think I died a little inside. Besides the romance, I also enjoyed the sub plot involving Piper's family problems. They caused some good tension and even a tad bit of suspense (Will she keep her family's home? Will she let her cousin win? I just wanted to know!!). Plus I loved how it introduced the UK as one of the settings!
The only aspect of this book I didn't particularly like was the pacing. Towards the middle it dragged a little, and I found it somewhat hard to trudge forward. However, by the end, everything was once again put into full swing, and I was dying to know what would happen next.
Perfect for fans of romance, To Win Her Smile is sure to leave readers with a big ol' smile on their faces as well! Additionally, while this book is part of a series, it can easily be read on its own!
Grade: B
To Win Her Smile is now out!
Source: eARC provided by publicist for blog tour
About the Author:
Wife, mother and really young grandmother, Mackenzie Crowne shares her home with her high school sweetheart husband, a neurotic Pomeranian, and a blind cat. She calls Arizona home because the southwest feeds her soul. Her love of the romance genre has been a lifelong affair, both as a reader and a writer. A bout with breast cancer sharpened her resolve to see her stories shared with others. Today, she’s a seven-year survivor, living the dream. Her friends call her Mac. She hopes you will too.
Learn More About the Author:
Add To Win Her Smile to Your TBR List:
Follow
the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!
Tell Me in the Comments:
Do you enjoy sports related romances? If so, what are some of your favorites? My personal fav is the Hundred Oaks series!
So happy to see that you enjoy this one. I really enjoyed the others in this series but haven't gotten to pick this one up yet. It's on my list tho! Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! -Janet @ Silver Dagger Book Tours
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled you enjoyed Wyatt and Piper's story, Lauren. They were a blast to write. Thank you so much for the review and the mention. You're a doll.
ReplyDeleteMac